OCA, founded as the Organization of Chinese Americans in 1973, is a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political and economic well-being of Chinese and other Asian Pacific Americans (APAs). There are over 80 chapters and affiliates nationwide; the Seattle chapter was formed in 1995.

The chapter is seeking an energetic and motivated Director who will work under the guidance of the chapter’s Board to help implement and manage its goals, objectives, policies, and projects. The Director must be a self-starter, able to work independently and able to develop, prioritize, and implement a manageable work plan.

This position requires a person with strong written and oral presentation skills and a deep commitment to the OCA mission. Experience working in or with community agencies, and/or on APA causes is desirable.

Responsibilities and Duties:
• Researches, analyzes and monitors issues particularly related to the civil rights of APAs
• Develops and maintains a strong relationship and communications with the chapter’s Board and members
• Develops and maintains a strong relationship with other APA and organizations engaged with social, political and economic justice
• Serves as the liaison between the Board/chapter, and the community
• Advocates the positions of the Board on various issues
• Assumes lead in organizing and implementing the chapter’s fundraisers
• Works with the Board to develop and implement the budget and work plan
• Other duties as assigned by the Board.

This is a part time position (15hrs/week), with a start date of January 2, 2012.

How to apply:
Email or postal mail a cover letter and resume to info@ocaseattle.org or PO Box 3013, Seattle, WA 98114. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. No phone calls, please.

OCA-Greater Seattle has responded to this action alert with the following letter:
NO on street car rail lines on 8th Ave So

July 27, 2011

Dear Council President Conlin and Seattle City Councilmembers:

OCA-Greater Seattle, an advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans, is deeply concerned about and rejects the proposed street car rail lines on 8th Avenue South.

These street car rail lines CANNOT and should NOT run along 8th Avenue South between So Jackson Street and Dearborn Ave. Safe and usable access to this neighborhood is vital for our residents, businesses, service providers, and visitors. Your decision puts hundreds of children, elderly, and people with disabilities – who are the most vulnerable members of our community – at risk every day by creating a barrier to an already busy neighborhood.

Although you say that such a system has worked in other cities, this is not to say it will work in this neighborhood. 8th Avenue South is one of the critical pathways in the International District where residents and visitors – many who are not fully-able bodied and who need additional assistance (young or old) more so than the typical person to move about – seek necessary social and health services. How will those in wheelchairs – whom we see daily – go about their business with these lines in the way? It is already difficult for them – as is – to navigate their way around; why pose this barrier?

8th Avenue South is also home to many family-owned businesses who rely on the smooth flow of pedestrian and vehicle traffic to simply maintain their livelihood, given the economy we are in. And parking is already a prime commodity in this neighborhood; the rail lines wouldn’t make parking any easier, and especially for those who must park as close as possible to their place of business. We urge you to identify a new route to the Charles Street maintenance facility that does not unnecessarily compromise the public safety of our community. Whatever this new route is, you owe it to us to engage with us proactively in the conversation and in the impact of this decision. Unless you yourself spend some quality time in this neighborhood, you won’t fully understand the hardships you are imposing on those who live, work, and do business here. On top of that, imagine if you are older or have a disability that prevents you from getting around and seeking services along 8th Avenue South, only to be limited by these rail lines that do not add any positive or safe value.

Thank you,
Kim Nguyen
OCA-Greater Seattle President,
Board of Directors
info@ocaseattle.org
www.ocaseattle.org

July 21, 2011

We need your help!

The City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is
developing the First Hill Streetcar line that will run along Broadway and Jackson Streets.
While our community has actively participated in the main route, SDOT decided to place
the streetcar maintenance facility at the Charles Street yard, using 8th Avenue South for
access. Without adequate notice to property owners, major tenants and residents, the
City is unnecessarily putting our patients, clients, residents and visitors at risk and
obstructing emergency and business services. This means construction impacts along
8th Avenue South with an out-of-service streetcar passing through this busy street in
perpetuity.

The streetcar’s maintenance line along 8th Avenue South unnecessarily presents serious
hazards for hundreds of our community members: elderly and people with disabilities
who call Legacy House home; patients and clients who seek health care at ICHS;
children who attend the Denise Louie Education Center; and visitors to the Wing Luke
Museum. Many more patronize the International District branch of the Seattle Public
Library, the Community Center and local businesses on this street.

Please help us call or email the Mayor and the City Council today and through
next week!

“Please do not run street car rail lines on 8th Avenue South between South
Jackson Street and Dearborn Avenue. Hundreds of children, elderly, and people
with disabilities—the most vulnerable members of our community—should not be
put at risk every day. Please find a new route to the Charles Street maintenance
facility that does not unnecessarily compromise the public safety of our
community.”

Call or e-mail Mayor McGinn and City Council Members

Mayor McGinn
o Phone: 206- 684-4000
o Email http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/citizen_response.htm

Richard Conlin, Council President
o Phone: 206-684-8805
o Email: richard.conlin@seattle.gov
Sally Bagshaw
o Phone: 206-684-8801
o Email: sally.bagshaw@seattle.gov
Tim Burgess

1 of 2

o Phone: 206-684-8806
o Email: tim.burgess@seattle.gov
Sally J. Clark
o Phone: 206-684-8802
o Email: sally.clark@seattle.gov
Jean Godden
o Phone: 206-684-8807
o Email: jean.godden@seattle.gov
Bruce A. Harrell
o Phone: 206-684-8804
o Email: bruce.harrell@seattle.gov
Nick Licata
o Phone: 206-684-8803
o Email: nick.licata@seattle.gov
Mike O’Brien
o Phone: 206-684-8800
o Email: mike.obrien@seattle.gov
Tom Rasmussen
o Phone: 206-684-8808
o Email: tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov

Thank you for helping us keep 8th Avenue South safe for our kids, elderly, residents,
staffs, and visitors!

Teresita Batayola, International Community Health Services
Maiko Winkler-Chin, Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and
Development Authority
Janice Deguchi, Denise Louie Education Center
Hyeok Kim, Interim ICDA
Sharyne Shiu-Thornton, Executive Director of the International District Housing Alliance
Beth Takekawa, Wing Luke Museum

Every summer a street fair and festival takes place in Chinatown International District as a way for visitor and the community to celebrate and promote the economic growth of the ID together. This year’s theme is Dragonfest, though there might have been some debates over the name, the IE still proudly provided media sponsorship as always. The International Examiner has been the official media sponsor of the ID summer festivals over the past few years, we are proud to show you what our community has to offer. So if you missed the festival, still come on down to the ID and enjoy all the food, shops, and fun!

Featured in the International Examiner: Editorial, Volume 38 No. 13

In late May, a resolution was introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate calling on Congress to formally acknowledge and express regret for the passage of discriminatory laws that severely violated the civil rights of early Chinese immigrants to America. The resolution was initiated by California Rep. Judy Chu.

The resolution centers on a number of discriminatory laws and treaties passed by Congress in the late 1880s, and particularly the Chinese Exclusion laws, which are the only U.S. laws ever passed that prevented immigration and naturalization based on race. The resolution points to the oppression faced by the early Chinese immigrants despite the contributions they made in the agriculture, mining, manufacturing, construction, fishing, and canning industries in the West… (Read more)

Featured in the International Examiner: Community, Volume 38 No. 13
 
After moving into the heart of Seattle’s Chinatown International District, IE videographer Pei Chou goes on a journey to uncover the past of her apartment, Hotel Milwaukee. Through her eyes, she saw the importance of preserving and passing on such history of our local community.

Featured in the International Examiner Volume 30 No.10

Hello! My name is Jasmin Eng and I’m a University of Washington student and intern of the OCA “Youth Legacy” program. The picture you see before you may look like a random photo of a girl jumping midair. My answer is, yes it is. But it is also a metaphor to my journey in becoming a part of the API community of Seattle. The purpose of this internship is to connect the interns with the community through volunteer work and video production to create API leaders. This photo represents the jump, that leap of a chance I took with myself to take upon such a project. When I began this internship, I wasn’t sure if I could be a strong, independent leader like the ones I interviewed such as Kim Nguyen, Ron Chew, Diem Ly and Kathy Hsieh. What I did walk away with is the curiosity to learn and a growing passion to make change. By giving me a gentle push into helping the community, this internship has proved to me that I can also be a leader and I’ve even started to develop ideas of my own on how to make positive change. I hope you all enjoy the first video I’ve created charting my leap into the API community. Thank you!

- Jasmin Eng

Jasmin Eng is currently an OCA intern studying at the University of Washington. She is part of OCA’s Legacy to Leadership Documentary Internship Program.

If you’ve been to Pike Place Market, you’ve probably seen him. He’s always playing that graceful, slightly sad Chinese instrument called Er-hu. The IE captured what Freddie was like when he’s not playing, check out his story.

Featured in the International Examiner: Arts, Features, Volume 38 No. 10